Did you know that up to half of the energy your home consumes comes from your heating and cooling units? Make a smart decision this summer and save money by following these efficiency suggestions from Energy Star:

Change Your Air Filter

Change your air filter monthly for more efficient HVAC use, especially during the winter and summer months. Dirty filters reduce air flow, causing your system to expend more energy in order to maintain your indoor temperature. Dust and dirt can also build up in old filters and may even result in HVAC equipment system failure.

Tune Up Your HVAC Equipment

Be sure to tune up your HVAC equipment every year. Tuning up your furnace or air conditioner not only improves efficiency and comfort, but also reduces the likelihood of mechanical problems.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Did you know that limiting the use of your HVAC equipment can save you over $170 each year? Programmable thermostats make it easy to set your HVAC equipment to run on a schedule. This way, you can arrange for your equipment to run less frequently when you’re not home and then start up again in anticipation of your arrival.

Seal Heating and Cooling Ducts

Heating and cooling ducts are notoriously inefficient. In fact, sealing your ducts can save you up to 20% a year.

Find a Quality Contractor

Sloppy HVAC installation and maintenance can cost you hundreds on your energy bill!